"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
~ Jack London

Bookworm Challenge 2016

1.) "Pleasures of the Damned" by Charles Bukowski
2.) "Batman and Psychology" by Travis Langley
3.) "Glory O'Brien's History of the Future" by A.S. King
4.) "The Best of Batman: 50th Anniversary in Film and Television"
5.) "Tough Sh*t: Life Advice From a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good" by Kevin Smith
6.) "Lady Midnight" by Cassandra Clare
7.) "The Killing Joke" Alan Moore
8.) "The Merciless II" by Danielle Vega
9.) All Star Batman #1, #2, #3
10.) "Batman: Year One" Frank Miller
11.) "Rebirth: Batman" & "DC Universe Rebirth: Batman"

Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a Batman obsessed weirdo with a collection that is constantly growing. I’ve loved Batman since I was a little kid, and my passion has grown exponentially from there. Comics, movies, collectables, miscellaneous memorabilia… I love it all. When I was two months shy of turning two years old, Batman Returns was about to hit theaters, and I was ecstatic. My mom took my brother and I to the theater early to see it, and I could barely contain my excitement. Unfortunately, two year olds plus way too much energy beforehand PLUS sitting in a dark theater equaled me passing out in the middle, which broke my little heart. I did get to see it, and my mom bought it for me when it came out (a big deal, since we didn’t have much money at that time.) And, as shown above, Catwoman made quite an impression on me. She was my favorite for the longest time, and I had a few cool Catwoman and Batman toys. I still remember how that costume and mask felt.

Granted, if I would have been wiser when I was younger, I’d have a fortune in amazing older Batman stuff. But since I hadn’t thought of it as stuff I’d be collecting as I got older, I didn’t keep it all, or some was damaged beyond any point of keeping it. A few things made it with me to adulthood, at least. But I shake my head at the things I’ve lost.

Fast forward to now. I’m constantly expanding my knowledge of the DC Universe, but more specifically Batman oriented things. I collect a variety of memorabilia, from statues and collector items, to action figures, to miscellaneous random finds. If it’s Batman, it is probably on my list of things to get. (Seriously. My Amazon Wishlist is INSANE.) Friends and coworkers are always on the lookout for items I may have missed, or just random Batman oriented gifts. You should see the neat stuff I get from Six Flags St Louis.

At the moment, I’m trying to document my collection in an album on my personal Facebook page. I started doing this just with new items I received of various nerdy things, but then separated those into two categories, giving Batman his own album. Then, I decided I’d start taking individual photos (or mostly individual photos) of the rest of my collection, with the thought in mind that this would be beneficial for myself in tracking what I have, as well as for friends and family gift shopping for me.

Until, that is, I learned there was a Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest Batman collection. Kevin Silva of Indianapolis holds the record at 2,554 pieces. His collection is AMAZING. I would be that fan that falls to her knees in tears if I saw it in person. He’s inspired me to make my collection so impressive. And, hopefully, it can even surpass his someday.

So, I’m going to begin taking inventory of exactly what I have, with photos and spreadsheets and documentation to really prove what I have. And some day, I will have a worthy collection as awesome as Kevin Silva does. He seems like one awesome guy!

Anyway, I may eventually post some of the collection on here, maybe a page up there near my Bio or something. Or, I could just link you to my on Facebook profile. Who knows?

If you haven’t listened to Amanda Palmer’s “Another Year”, go do it immediately. This song is on to Top 5 list of the soundtrack of my life, I swear.

Now, I have done many, many things in my life. I’ve worked in a haunted house, and a Halloween costume/supply store. I’ve left the country. Twice. Swam with dolphins. Also twice. I attended a writing conference in New York with Best Selling authors and agents and other passionate writer people like myself, and even read part of a manuscript out loud to two agents (both of which were interested in reading more) – before I started my senior year of High School. I’ve been to Orlando four times. I’ve been to Boston and Salem. I’ve been to Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville for cons. I’ve been to James Marsters birthday party. Sean Patrick Flanery has called my boyfriend and made me blush, and just been an all around awesome dude to me. David Della Rocco kissed my cheek. I’ve met amazing actors, artists, comedians, authors, etc. I’ve met Stan Lee. Multiple times. I met Robert Englund and cried. I’ve been to Batman Live!, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and a variety of other plays and shows. I’ve had VIP passes and been allowed into areas others have dreamed of. I’ve shot fashion shows, had photos and articles published, and occasionally feel like maybe I’m going in the right direction.

And so, so much more. So many people and places I can’t even list them all.

But, I somehow still want more. I have worked myself to death to feel like I’m somewhere, or doing something, and not wasting my life behind a desk at a day job.

It feels like I have been stuck in a state of Almost Something. I have almost been published. Almost graduated with my degree as an Art major. Almost stepped up to the next level in photography. Almost almost almost. But I don’t won’t to fall short anymore. I want to move from Almost Something into Definitely Something.

So, next year, I will try to do more. I will try to top everything I’ve already done, just because I have the drive to do it. I don’t want to live an average life. It will drive me insane. I want to feel like I’ve accomplished things and lived a life I was proud of by the time I’m dead.

I’m working on a list right now of things to do in 2015. Because while 2014 had some very good things, it also had some horrible things. And I want more good days than bad. I’ll post a finished list closer to New Years Eve, but there are some points I will definitely touch on:

I will do something writing related, whether it’s a published novel, or another article. Even a baby step forward is better than a stand still.

I will work on my photography more. Because I miss it. Because I need it. I will do shoots and get my work out there.

I will do something more with my art. It’s improving, though not quite where it was art. I would love to start selling prints and pieces to people.

Travel. Experiences. Health.

There is no point in wasting time, when there are adventures out there waiting for me. I just need to seize the chances I’m presented with.